Not what's next, but what's important (this week)

A look at the brand marketing and design stores that caught our attention this week, with an eye on what's important, not just what's next:

Starbucks seeks to end 12-year deal with Kraft. Looking to
regain control of its brand, the world's largest coffee chain wants out of its
agreement with Kraft, which markets and distributes Starbucks and Seattle's Best
coffees to supermarkets and stores. If forced to compensate Kraft for its
business, Starbucks could end up paying more than $1 billion. Details here.

The evolution of the just-in-time consumer. For two decades,
Americans thrived on bulk shopping. But the effects of the long recession have
altered the way people make purchases-buying just what is needed for a specific
time, as opposed to stocking up. The
Wall Street Journalanalyzes the effects of this new buying
behavior.

Why mumbling louder is not a branding strategy. From Twitter to
Facebook, the increase in social media has made it easier to communicate a
brand's message. The only problem? Brands are still just as confused about what
to say and how to say it. BRANDWEEK looks
at the importance of a well-crafted and concise story.

Events

Flexible pouch packaging is the fastest-growing segment of U.S. consumer packaging. For 18 years the industry has been served by Packaging Strategies' Global Pouch Forum — the largest conference on flexible packaging.